A man went to the store to buy three things, chicken, vegetables, and bananas. The total of his spent was $20.

Vegetables plus 9 dollars equals to the Chicken.

(Chicken plus vegetable) then minus $16 equals bananas.

How much is chicken, vegetable, and bananas each?

Remember, the total of his spent was $20.

Vegetable=VChicken=CBanana=B

V+9=C(C+V)-16=Banana

the equation you are trying to solve is V+C+B=20 well use substitution substitute for C and B making itV+(V+9)+((C+V)-16)=20 then substitute for C againV+(V+9)+(((V+9)+V)-16)=20 then just solve it2V+9+((2V+9)-16)=202V+9+(2V-7)4V+2=204V=18V=$4.50 now just substitute for the other equationsV+9=C4.5+9=C$13.50=C and solve for B(C+V)-16=B(13.5+4.5)-16=B18-16=B$2.00=B now check your answer2.5+13.5+4=2016+4=2020=20which means it's correct